OHP Trooper Arrested For Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper has been arrested for kidnapping and sexual assault, according to OHP.

Monday, September 15th 2014, 10:05 am

By: Dee Duren

OHP Trooper Arrested For Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested a trooper Monday for kidnapping and sexual assault. Eric Roberts is currently suspended with pay, but the termination process has begun, according to Chief of Patrol Col. Ricky Adams.

A woman accused Roberts of raping her during a traffic stop in west Tulsa this summer, launching an investigation into the trooper's behavior.

Troopers took Roberts into custody Monday morning after an investigation found sufficient evidence including two other potential victims, Adams said.

"This matter sickens us as an agency; I'll say that right up front," he told the media Monday afternoon.

A lawsuit alleges that Roberts was patrolling near the Town West Shopping Center on July 22, 2014, when he pulled over a car driven by a 28-year-old woman. He reportedly ordered the woman to get into his cruiser and drove her to a secluded spot where he raped her.

The lawsuit says Trooper Roberts then allowed the woman to get dressed as he drove her back to her car where he said, "I'll see you later."

Col. Adams said the investigation revealed two other potential victims plus three other traffic stops that were questionable but where no assault is believed to have occurred.

Roberts turned off his camera and microphone during those traffic stops, according to Adams.

Read The Lawsuit Against Trooper Eric Roberts

The woman reported the incident the next day, launching the internal investigation. The lawsuit states the woman believes investigators were able to retrieve the condom she says Trooper Roberts used in the sexual assault.

High-profile Oklahoma City defense attorney Gary James said Roberts bonded out of the Creek County Jail Monday afternoon. He posted the $66,000 bond arranged by his attorney at about 1:30 p.m., James said.

James said, "Roberts denies the criminal allegations and maintains his innocence."

Roberts spent about five hours in jail. He faces 11 complaints including second degree rape, rape by instrumentation, kidnapping and sexual battery.

Sheldon Robinson, a 16-year-veteran of the OHP, was fired last month after an investigation into a fatal shooting showed he violated six policies on the night he was at a Tulsa motel in a part of town with the reputation for prostitution and illegal drug activity.

9/12/2014 Related Story: DPS: Fired Trooper Was Meeting 'Scantily Clad' Female When Fatal Shooting Happened